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Foul Play
1978 116 min United States of America PG 12+
★7.0
Comedy, Mystery, Thriller
Director: Colin Higgins
Trailers
Description
A shy San Francisco librarian and a bumbling cop fall in love as they solve a crime involving albinos, dwarves, and the Catholic Church.
Budget:
$5M
US Gross:
$45M
Worldwide:
$45M
Starring
Goldie Hawn
Actor
Chevy Chase
Actor
Burgess Meredith
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1979
— Best Original Song
Golden Globe 1979
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1979
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1979
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1979
— Best Supporting Actor
Golden Globe 1979
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 1979
— Best Original Song
Golden Globe 1979
— Best Debut
Key opinion
Foul Play is remembered as a charming, if uneven, blend of screwball comedy and Hitchcockian thriller. While it may not reach the status of a masterpiece, its strong ensemble cast and lighthearted homage to classic cinema genres provide a highly entertaining experience.
| Acting | Goldie Hawn delivers a nuanced and engaging performance that anchors the film's shift between naive comedy and thriller elements. | |
| Originality | The film functions as a stylish and competent homage to classic noir and mystery directors like Hitchcock and Hawks. | |
| Acting | The strong supporting ensemble—including Dudley Moore and Burgess Meredith—elevates the material through memorable and quirky character work. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative successfully balances witty dialogue, physical humor, and suspenseful plot tropes, creating an entertaining pastiche. | |
| Direction | Opinions on the film's overall quality are mixed; while some praise its fast-paced, stylish execution, others find it to be a competent but minor entry in the genre. |